Projecting Each 2012-13 Miami Heat Player's Minutes Per Game

With each year comes age, and with age comes fatigue. Meaning the importance of managing players' minutes increases.

If the Miami Heat plan on winning more than one NBA championship during the Big three era, moving forward, one of the most important things will be making sure the team is healthy and well-rested come April. A task easier said then done.

Especially in Miami's case.

Let us not forget that they have yet to finish first in the Eastern Conference. But, when the playoffs rolled around last year the Heat were well-rested and ready to give everything they had as they progressed towards the title—a title they were ultimately able to capture.

With some new additions, the minutes per game breakdown has the potential to look a lot different for Miami this season. Something that should put a smile on any Heat fan's face.

Less regular season minutes for the Big 3 equals more big wins in the playoffs.

Here's how I believe things will play out for the 2012-2013 Miami Heat.

Dwyane Wade

We hear a lot of talk about Kobe Bryant getting old; well, Dwyane Wade is right there with him.

On top of that, the way Wade has played throughout his career has definitely taken away some good years for Flash.

Nevertheless, Wade will be back this season with his body and knee feeling mighty good and with a lot of rest underneath his belt.

After playing nearly 40 minutes per game last year, Wade should have no problem playing about 37 this year. It will be good for his body, good for his career, and ultimately good for the team to get him a little more rest. Even if it is for only a couple of minutes.

Mario Chalmers

Mario Chalmers continues to improve as a player on both ends of the floor.

He has consistently held his own against some of the best point guards in the league, and is really the most underrated defender on the Heat.

That being said, just like a few other guys, Chalmers will see his minutes cut down a little bit with the acquisition of Ray Allen.

This is not to say that Chalmers is a not a great fit with the Heat; he's already proven that he can play with the best of them. And yes it's true, he's hit some big shots for the Heat in the past, but if you're a Heat fan who do you want LeBron/Wade kicking it out to for an open shot with time winding down on the clock, Allen or Chalmers?

Joel Anthony

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Projected MPG: 14.5

Joel Anthony showed huge signs of improvement during this past season. He was able to finish around the rim better than ever before, while doing his best impersonation of Alonzo Mourning and protecting the basket on the defensive end.

But at the end of the day, Anthony is undersized and not a good one-on-one defender in the post.

Therefore, we should see a lot more Pittman this year and a lot less Anthony, although he's done the best job he can with his skill set.

He will still get enough minutes to provide a spectacular blocked shot or two, but Anthony will find his minutes much more sporadic this year.

Norris Cole

Norris Cole showed that he is NBA-ready very early in his young career.

Coming into his second season, Cole has earned the right to be out on the floor on a consistent basis.

He's not yet ready to split the minutes with Chalmers, and he would probably be playing a lot more if the Heat were not able to acquire Ray Allen, but he still has an important role with this Heat team bringing immediate energy and intensity off the bench.

Dexter Pittman

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Projected MPG: 10.2

This year we should finally see that big bump in minutes for Dexter Pittman.

Although the Heat like to play small ball, they are going to want to get Pittman some consistent run because he will be needed in the playoffs against the likes of Tyson Chandler, Roy Hibbert, Andrew Bynum, and possibly even Dwight Howard.

Miami will want to keep Bosh out of foul trouble as much as they can, which will result in Pittman getting a lot of minutes against some of the elite big men in the league.